Workgroup Report: Developing Environmental Health Indicators for European Children
2007

Developing Environmental Health Indicators for European Children

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Kathy Pond, Rokho Kim, Maria-Jose Carroquino, Philippe Pirard, Fiona Gore, Alexandra Cucu, Leda Nemer, Morag MacKay, Greta Smedje, Antonis Georgellis, Dafina Dalbokova, Michal Krzyzanowski

Primary Institution: World Health Organization

Hypothesis

The working group coordinated by the World Health Organization developed a set of indicators to protect children’s health from environmental risks.

Conclusion

The project successfully identified and prioritized environmental health issues affecting European children through the development of 29 core indicators.

Supporting Evidence

  • Approximately a quarter of the global burden of disease can be attributed to environmental factors.
  • Children under 5 years of age bear over 40% of the environmental burden of disease.
  • An estimated 1.7 million deaths per year globally are attributed to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Takeaway

This study created a list of important health indicators to help keep children safe from environmental dangers in Europe.

Methodology

A working group of international experts assessed the needs of environmental health policies, defined the scope of indicators, and selected a core set of indicators for pilot implementation.

Limitations

Some indicators were rejected due to unavailability of data from international sources.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1289/ehp.9958

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